Urethral introduction catheter

ABSTRACT

A urethral introduction catheter comprising an elongated flexible catheter fixed at its proximal end to a connector and having a cap removably mounted on the drain spout end thereof. The proximal end of the catheter slidably extends through an introducer having a predetermined quantity of water-soluble lubricant provided therein. The introducer is provided with an end portion through which the catheter passes. A flexible sheath is secured to and extends between the connector and introducer to maintain the catheter in a sterile condition. A cap is provided for sealing the introducer prior to use. The method of using the device is also disclosed.

United States Patent [191 Powers [451 Dec. 17, 1974 Dye et al. 128/350 x[5 URETHRAL INTRODUCTION CATHETER 3,726,283 4/1973 1621 P D [76]Inventor 35:5 gggi z 14 st r Przmary Examiner-Dalton L. TruluckAttorney, Agent, or Firm-Zarley, McKee, Thomte & [22] Filed: Oct. 9,1973 Voorhees [211 App]. No.: 404,388

[57] ABSTRACT A urethral introduction catheter comprising an elon- 7 UsCl 128/349 128/260 0 gated flexible catheter fixed at its proximal endto a [5]] Int Cl A6lm /00 I connector and having a cap removably mountedon [58] Fieid B 349 BV the drain spout end thereof. The proximal end ofthe 28/260 5 350 i 206/63 2 catheter slidably extends through anintroducer having 21 a predetermined quantity of water-soluble lubricantprovided therein. The introducer is provided with an end portion throughwhich the catheter passes. A flex- [56] References cued ible sheath issecured to and extends between the con- UNITED STATES PATENTS nector andintroducer to maintain the catheter in a 3.345. 88 l0/l96 t ll l28/349 Rsterile condition. A cap is provided for sealing the ing-is ggg i/I itroducer prior to use. The method of using the device l 1 d l. d.3.648,?04 3/l972 Jackson 128/349 R H a [SC Ose 3.726181 4/1973 Norton cta] 128/349 R 7 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures m 3. l 34 S 24 29 32 L, 7"Tr-rail P, I 2\lv y -A .,V if

URETHRAL INTRODUCTION CATHETER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Thisinvention relates to a catheter and more particularly to a urethralintroduction catheter wherein lubricant is moved through the urethraahead of the catheter. Conventional catheters can produce urethraltrauma and frequently subject the patient to pain and discomfort.Additionally, the conventional catheters are difficult to maintain in asterile condition thereby resulting in patient infections. Further, theconventional catheters are difficult to use and require considerabletime to use.

Therefore, it is a principal object of the invention to provide animproved catheterization.

A further object of the invention is to provide a urethral introductioncatheter.

A further object of the invention is to provide a urethral introductioncatheter wherein lubricant is moved through the urethra prior to thecatheter tube.

A further object of the invention is to provide a urethral introductioncatheter including means for maintaining the sterile condition thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide a urethral introductioncatheter which eliminates the need for a catheter tray.

A further object of the invention is to provide a urethral introductioncatheter which eliminates the need for sterile gloves or sterile field.r

A further object of the invention is to provide a urethral introductioncatheter which reduces urethra trauma.

A further object of the invention is to provide a urethral introductioncatheter which reduces the possibility of the introduction of foreignpathogens into the bladder.

A further object of the invention is to provide a urethral introductioncatheter which is simple to use and which saves time.

A further object of the invention is to provide a urethral introductioncatheter which is economical of manufacture and refined in appearance.

These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS This invention consists in theconstruction, arrangements and combination of the various parts of thedevice, whereby the objects contemplated are attained as hereinaftermore fully set forth, specifically pointed out in the claims, andillustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the urethral introduction catheter ofthis invention:

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the catheter seen along lines 22 of FIG.1:

FIG. 3 is a sectional view seen on lines 2-2 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the catheter illustrating thecatheter tube having been extended through the introducer.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The numeral refers generally tothe catheter device having a proximal end 12 and a proximal end 14. Aconnector 16 is provided at the proximal end of the device and has oneend of the catheter 18 secured thereto and extending outwardlytherefrom. The numeral 20 refers to a cap which is removably mounted onthe proximal end of the drain spout portion 22 of the catheter 18.

The other end of the catheter 18 is slidably mounted in a bore 24 of atube 26 which is secured to the introducer 28. Catheter I8 is providedwith suitable openings 29 at its proximal end. Tube 26 extends outwardlyfrom the proximal end of the introducer 28 to define an introducer endportion 30. The numeral 32 refers to a cap which is removably mounted onthe introducer end portion 30 as seen in the drawings.

A flexible sheath 34 is secured at its proximal end to the connection 16by heat sealing or the like and is secured at its proximal end to theintroducer 28 by heat sealing or the like. As seen in the drawings, whenthe sheath 34 is in its extended condition, the proximal end of thecatheter 18 extends into the proximal end of the introducer 28. Thenumeral 36 refers to approximately 0.5 cc water-soluble lubricant whichis positioned in the bore 24 ahead of the proximal end of the tube 18.Preferably, the catheter 18 is constructed of a polyvinyl chloride orrubber material while the connector 16 is comprised of a polypropylenematerial. The sheath 34 is preferably constructed of a polyethylenematerial while the introducer is preferably constructed of a propylenematerial.

The method of using the catheter is as follows. The catheter devicewould be previously sterilized and would be enclosed in a sterile paperpackage or the like. The device 10 is removed from the package and thepatient is prepared for the procedure. The urethral meatus is cleanedand the protective cap 32 is removed from the introducer end portion 30.The introducer end portion 30 is then inserted approximately /s inchinto the urethra. The nurse then holds the introducer 28 and thegenitilia and grasps the catheter 18 through the polyethylene sheath 34.The catheter 18 is then gently slidably moved outwardly from theintroducer 28 into the urethra. When the catheter has been inserted to adepth of approximately 9 inches (male) or approximately 1 /2 inches(female) the drain cap 20 is removed from the spout portion 22 and thespecimen is collected. It can be seen that the water-soluble lubricantis pushed into the urethra by the catheter 18 so as to lubricate theurethra to assist the insertion of the catheter.

The water-soluble lubricant substantially reduces urethral trauma andgreatly decreases the pain experienced by the patient. Further, thecatheter of this invention is maintained in a sterile condition andsubstantially reduces patient infections. The catheter may be slidablyextended into the urethra without the nurse coming into direct contactwith the catheter which eliminates the need for sterile gloves or acatherization tray.

Thus it can be seen that a unique catheter has been provided and whichaccomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.

I claim:

I. A urethral introduction catheter comprising,

an elongated flexible catheter having distal and proximal ends,

a connector secured to said catheter adjacent the proximal end thereof,

said catheter having a drain spout portion extending from saidconnector,

an introducer having a catheter introducer end portion extendingtherefrom,

a sterile lubricant in said introducer,

the distal end of said catheter being movably received by saidintroducer and slidably received by said introducer end portion so thatthe sterile lubricant is pushed from said introducer into the patientsurethra as the catheter is inserted into the patients urethra,

and a flexible sheath secured at its proximal end to said connector andsecured at its distal end to said introducer.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a first cap means is removablymounted on said drain spout portion.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a second cap means is removablymounted on said introducer end portion.

4. The method of catheterizing a patient comprising the steps of:

providing an introducer having a passageway formed therein containing asterile lubricant normally stored therein, said introducer having an endportion adapted for insertion into the patients urethra, said introducerhaving an opposite end which is adapted to receive a catheter tube, therelationship of the catheter tube and said introducer passageway beingsuch that the catheter tube will eject the lubricant from saidpassageway as said catheter tube is moved therethrough,

inserting said introducer end portion into the patients urethra,

moving the catheter tube through said passageway so that the sterilelubricant is ejected from said introducer into the patients urethra asthe catheter tube is inserted therein,

said catheter tube pushing said lubricant from said introducersimultaneously with the insertion of the catheter tube into the urethra.

5. A urethral introduction catheter comprising,

an elongated flexible catheter tube having distal and proximal ends,

a connector secured to said catheter tube adjacent the proximal endthereof,

said catheter tube having a drain spout portion extending from saidconnector,

said catheter tube having at least one opening formed therein adjacentits distal end,

an introducer having a bore extending therethrough, said introducerincluding an end portion, said bore communicating with said end portion,

the distal end of said catheter tube being slidably received by saidbore,

a flexible sheath secured at its proximal end to said connector andsecured at its distal end to said introducer,

a sterile lubricant positioned in said bore between the distal end ofsaid catheter tube and said introducer end portion,

the relationship of said bore and said catheter tube being such thatsaid catheter tube will push said lubricant from said bore into thepatients urethra as the catheter tube is slidably extended through saidbore.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said catheter has an outsidediameter substantially equal to the inside diameter of said bore toprevent said lubricant from entering said opening in said catheter.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said lubricant comprises awater-soluble lubricant.

1. A urethral introduction catheter comprising, an elongated flexiblecatheter having distal and proximal ends, a connector secured to saidcatheter adjacent the proximal end thereof, said catheter having a drainspout portion extending from said connector, an introducer having acatheter introducer end portion extending therefrom, a sterile lubricantin said introducer, the distal end of said catheter being movablyreceived by said introducer and slidably received by said introducer endportion so that the sterile lubricant is pushed from said introducerinto the patient''s urethra as the catheter is inserted into thepatient''s urethra, and a flexible sheath secured at its proximal end tosaid connector and secured at its distal end to said introducer.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein a first cap means is removably mounted onsaid drain spout portion.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a secondcap means is removably mounted on said introducer end portion.
 4. Themethod of catheterizing a patient comprising the steps of: providing anintroducer having a passageway formed therein containing a sterilelubricant normally stored therein, said introducer having an end portionadapted for insertion into the patient''s urethra, said introducerhaving an opposite end which is adapted to receive a catheter tube, therelationship of the catheter tube and said introducer passageway beingsuch that the catheter tube will eject the lubricant from saidpassageway as said catheter tube is moved therethrough, inserting saidintroducer end portion into the patient''s urethra, moving the cathetertube through said passageway so that the sterile lubricant is ejectedfrom said introducer into the patient''s urethra as the catheter tube isinserted therein, said catheter tube pushing said lubricant from saidintroducer simultaneously with the insertion of the catheter tube intothe urethra.
 5. A urethral introduction catheter comprising, anelongated flexible catheter tube having distal and proximal ends, aconnector secured to said catheter tube adjacent the proximal endthereof, said catheter tube having a drain spout portion extending fromsaid connector, said catheter tube having at least one opening formedtherein adjacent its distal end, an introducer having a bore extendingtherethrough, said introducer including an end portion, said borecommunicating with said end portion, the distal end of said cathetertube being slidably received by said bore, a flexible sheath secured atits proximal end to said connector and secured at its distal end to saidintroducer, a sterile lubricant positioned in said bore between thedistal end of said catheter tube and said introducer end portion, therelationship of said bore and said catheter tube being such that saidcatheter tube will push said lubricant from said bore into thepatient''s urethra as the catheter tube is slidably extended throughsaid bore.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said catheter has anoutside diameter substantially equal to the inside diameter of said boreto prevent said lubricant from entering said opening in said catheter.7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said lubricant comprises awater-soluble lubricant.